Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus palnipennis)
An iridescent green insect about 1.2 cm long with a pointed posterior, capable of flight up to 10 km, prepupae white, egg about 1mm.
Habitat
- a native of Asia, first detected in Ontario in 2002
- destroys Green Ash, White Ash, Black Ash, Pumpkin Ash and other species of Fraxinus(Ash)
- Blue Ash, occurring in southwest Ontario somewhat resistant
- few effective natural enemies; the only predator that feed extensively on the borer is the Woodpecker
- Ashes are an important component in many forest communities in Canada from Saskatchewan east
- Ash also extensively planted in urban areas, 10 % of GTA (860,000 trees in Toronto alone)
Reproduction and dispersal
- beginning late May/early June adults emerge chewing through bark creating D-shaped hole
- adults feed on foliage about 2 weeks prior to mating and laying eggs
- males locate females by pheromones and visual clues
- females lay eggs in bark that hatch in 1-2 weeks
- larva tunnels through bark to interface of bark and wood to feed moulting four times after which it chews a tunnel in bark to pupate and overwinter
- can withstand temperatures of -30 Celsius due to production of antifreeze compounds and increased warmth under bark
- damage to leaves by feeding adults, but it is the feeding of larva between bark and sapwood that kills the tree
- tree cannot move nutrients and water from roots and is destroyed by girdling
- signs of attack include crown die back, bark deformities, woodpecker feeding holes, D-shaped exit holes and shoots growing out of the trunk, roots and branches
- signs and symptoms not obvious until beetle well established
What can you do?
- report any sightings with location and picture (if possible), kill if positive identification
- call government of Canada sighting hotline 866-463-6017, Ontario hotline 800-563-7711, [email protected] ,Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 800-667-1940 or contact Credit Valley Conservation at [email protected]
- don’t move wood material (firewood, trees, logs, lumber, wood or bark chips), obtain and burn locally
- at home, encourage Woodpeckers
- if you have a special Ash tree, that still appears healthy, have it assessed by an arborist and consider TreeAzin treatment
Asian Long-horned Beetle (Anoplophora gabripennis
A 2-4 cm long invasive beetle native to China and Korea that is shiny black with prominent irregular white spots and distinct bluish-white legs. Long black and white banded antennae, 1 to 2 times the length of the body. Adults leave a round exit hole 1 cm across (slightly smaller than a dime) in trees. It has no natural enemies.
Habitat
- attacks nearly all broadleaf trees with native Maples being preferred
- attempts are being made to contain and eradicate the beetle after it was located in the GTA
- insecticides do not protect the tree, must be cut down and burned or chipped
- potential decline in hardwood (broadleaf) trees could have major consequences for Ontario’s wildlife and biodiversity, negatively affecting future generations
Reproduction and dispersal
- adult females lay 45-62 eggs in their lifetime by chewing a small pit and depositing 1 egg in each that hatches in 13-54 days depending on temperature
- eggs not developed enough to hatch can overwinter
- larva cylindrical about 5 cm long and feed first in cambial region and then tunnel into heartwood as they feed for 1-2 years, moulting an average 5 times
- 1 larva can consume 1000 cubic centimeters of wood in its lifetime
- pupation usually occurs in spring in a tunnel in the sapwood area with adults emerging 12-50 days later, taking about a week to chew out
- adults feed on leaf petioles and can chew through bark on small branches to feed on vascular cambium
- mate 9-15 days after emergence
- typically lay eggs on tree they developed on rather than colonizing new trees unless population density is high or the host tree is dead
- when they do disperse, can travel up to 2.5 km, but 1 km normal
- typically infest crown and main branches first and will begin to infest trunk as crown dies
- males can live about 200 days and females about 160
- similar harmless species White Spotted Sawyer can be distinguished by white spot (scutellum) in centre where neck meets body and colour dull or bronzy black
- ALHB also has very distinct white and black banded antennae
What can you do?
- report any sightings with location and picture (if possible) kill if positive identification
- learn how to identify adult beetles and what infested trees look like
- don’t move wood, with firewood – burn where you buy it
- call invading species hotline 800-563-7711, [email protected] , Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 800-667-1940 or Credit Valley Conservation at [email protected]